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RWC: New Zealand battle past brave Pumas

New Zealand has battled past a brave Pumas side to win 33-10 and set up a Semi-final showdown with Australia next Sunday.

The score flattered the All Blacks as Argentina scored the only try of the first half and defended well with frustrated the New Zealanders into errors.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Piri Weepu landed a penalty goal.

Weepu added another three points for the hosts to extend the margin to six, before Argentina scored their try through Julio Farias Cabello, with Felipe Contepomi converting for the Pumas to gain the lead.

Contepomi then conceded a penalty when he put a high shot on replacement Arron Cruden who was a replacement for Colin Slade who left the field after picking up an injury.

The sides went to the break with the All Blacks up 9-7, a scoreline few would have predicted.

Five minutes into the second half Argentina took the lead when Marcelo Bosch landed a superb 52m penalty goal. But as the case when Argentina scored their first points, Weepu added three points when the Pumas infringed at the ruck.

Sustained pressure from the hosts finally took its toll on the Argentines as the All Blacks scored their first try through Keiran Read, after Weepu’s seventh penalty Brad Thorn scored a well deserved try to put the icing on the cake for the Kiwis and secure a semi-final against arch enemy Australia.